Animal-trap.



No. 656,590. Patented Aug. 2|, I900.

C. B. TRUMBLE.

ANIMAL TRAP.

Appfication filed Nov. 11, 1899. Renewed July 2, 1900.)

(No Model.)

Wi'fgcsses Truifiz, lgacgior. By his u lforge ys,

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

CHAUNCEY B. TRUMBLE, OF GROTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIRAM G. MOE, OF SAME PLACE.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 656,590, dated August 21, 1900.

Application filed November 11, 1899. Renewed July 2, 1900. Serial No. 22,320. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that LCHAUNOEY B.TRUMBLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Groton, in the county of Tompkins and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Animal-Trap, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in animal-traps.

The object of' the present invention is to improve the construction of animal -traps and to provide an exceedingly simple and inexpensive one which will be positive and reliable in operation and exceedingly sensitive when set, so that there will be no liability of an animal obtaining any of the bait without being caught.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of an animal-trap constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. ,3 is a detail perspective view of the movable jaw. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the bait-lever.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlngs.

l designates a fiat base provided with suitable ears or eyes 2 and. 3 and adapted to be constructed either of wood or metal, the eyes or ears 2 and 3 being preferably formed by staples when the base is constructed of wood, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings; but when the base is made of sheet metal or similar material the eyes or cars will be formed by perforated lugs or flanges struck up from the metal. Within the eyes 2 and 3, which are transversely alined, is arranged a transverse pintle 41:, forming a support for a movable jaw 5, a bail or lever 6, and opposite coiled springs 7, arranged as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The ends of the pintle-rod 4. are bent at an angle to form short arms for retaining itin the said ears; but any other suitablemeans may be provided to effect this result. The ears or eyes 2 are located at opposite sides of the base, and the eyes 3 are arranged at the center thereof at opposite sides of a bait-lever 8, which is adapted to engage a trigger 9, as hereinafter described.

The movable jaw, which is substantially semicircular, is preferably constructed of sheet metal or similar material, and it is provided at its ends, which are perforated for the reception of the pintle-rod, with short arms 10, having inwardly and outwardly extending lugs 11 and 12, formed integral with the movable jaw and stamped or struck up from the metal thereof, and as the bait-lever and the trigger are also constructed of sheet metal, these parts may be economically stamped out of a strip of sheet metal,the baitlever and the trigger being constructed of the material lying between the arms and the lugs 11 and 12. The inwardly extending lugs 11 are engaged by outer arms 13 of the coiled springs 7, which have inner arms 14 hearing against the upper face of the base, whereby when the trap is set, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the springs are placed under tension and are capable of throwing the movable jaw forward and downward with sufficient force to kill an animal.

The bail or lever 6, which is preferably constructed of wire, is provided at its ends with eyes 15 and is mounted on the pintle rod between the sides of the movable jaw and the outer eyes or ears 2. The sides of the bail or lever 6 are adapted to engage the outer lugs 12, and this bail or lever forms a convenient means for setting the trap, and the connection also permits the parts to be com pactly folded. When the movable jaw is in a horizontal position on the front portion of the base, its short arms extend vertically tlierefrom, and the outer lugs 1.2 are located above the transverse pintle-rod, so that the bail or lever must be swung upward to a vertical position in order to engage the lug 12. When the trap is not in use, the bail or lever may be folded down upon the movable jaw, which arranges the trap compactly.

The trigger 9, which is provided at its outer or rear end with an eye 16, is hinged to the base, at the rear end thereof, by a staple 17 or other suitable means, and its front end is pro Vided with a slot or opening 18, adapted to receive an arm 19 of the bait-lever 8, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings. The bait-lever, which is substantially L-shaped, is fulcru med at its angle on the transverse pintle, and its short arm 19 is provided with a lug 20, adapted to engage the front end of the trigger in setting the trap. The transverse portion of the lever or bail 6 is engaged by the trigger at a point near the rear endof the latter, and the front end of the bait-lever is provided with a depending arm or hook 21, extending partially into an opening or cavity22 of the base and adapted to receive and engage a suitable bait, which may be a piece of cheese or other material designed to attract the animals to the trap. Any attempt of an animal to obtain the bait will lift the front portion of the bait-lever sufficiently to release the trigger and spring the trap; but instead of constructing the front end of the bait-lever in this manner it may be provided with an ordinaryhook. The trap cannot he accidentally sprung by reason of an animal treading upon the trigger in rear of themovablejaw; but the slightest attempt to obtain the bait will trip it.

It will be seen that the trap is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, that it is exceedingly sensitive and positive and reliable in operation, and that the movable jaw, the trigger, and the bait-hook may be economically stamped out of a single strip of sheet metal. It will also be apparent that the improved movable jaw, with its inwardly and outwardly extending lugs, is applicable to all traps of this character.

Vhat is claimed is 1. A trap comprising a base, a transverse pintle, a movable jaw mounted on the pintle and provided at opposite sides with short arms having inwardly and outwardly extending lugs, springs engaging the inner lug, a bail or lever engaging the outer lugs and means for setting and tripping the bail or 1ever, substantially as described.

2. A trap comprising a base, a transverse pintle, a movable jaw mounted on the pintle and provided at opposite sides 'with short arms havinginwardlyand outwardly extending lugs, a bail or lever mounted on the pintle and engaging the outer lugs, springs disposed on the pintle and having arms engaging the inner lug, a bait-lever fulcru med on the pintle, and a trigger hinged at its outer end and adapted to engage the ball or lever and the bait-lever, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto atlixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHAUNOEY B. TRUMBLE.

Witnesses:

U. G. ROCKWELL, O. A. HARRIS. 

